Michigan residents will get to vote on raising green energy goals

Michigan residents will get to vote on raising green energy goals

Green Right Now Reports Clean energy advocates in Michigan today won the right to put a more ambitious renewable energy standard before the voters in November, a plan they hope...

Green Right Now Reports

Clean energy advocates in Michigan today won the right to put a more ambitious renewable energy standard before the voters in November, a plan they hope will bring jobs as well as green energy to the state.

The proposal by Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs would increase the state’s standard to 25 percent by 2025. If enacted, the new standard or RES, would require power providers to obtain 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources like wind, solar and geothermal power.

The Michigan Board of Canvassers unanimously approved the proposal for the Nov. 6 ballot.

Renewable Energy Standards. States in gray don't have any; the lightest green states require only 10 percent or less green energy; the next lightest require 11-15 percent; medium green states require 16-20 percent; dark green states have the strongest RES laws, with goals of 21 percent or more green power.

“Michigan voters are one step closer to supporting a proposal that will create 94,000 Michigan jobs, rebuild Michigan manufacturing, protect public health and get Michigan’s economy moving forward again,” said Mark Fisk, spokesman for the Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs campaign. “Michigan is falling behind in the clean energy race while other states are moving forward and attracting good manufacturing jobs. By passing this proposal, Michigan can compete for those jobs and put our citizens back to work.”

In a statement, Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs cited a study by Michigan State University experts showing that a move to 25 percent renewables by 2025 could create an estimated 94,000 jobs in construction, operations, maintenance and manufacturing.

Michigan joins other states that are using such ballot initiatives to push clean energy, in the absence of a federal RES.